ATMS UPDATE
Regulation Report
Chantel Ryan | Chair , Regulatory Committee
Board approves new Informed Consent Policy
As we foreshadowed last year , ATMS would be working on a new Informed Consent Policy to help guide practising members on what they require to obtain their clients ’ informed consent before treatment , and where applicable throughout the therapeutic relationship . This policy has now been approved by the Board and may be accessed via ATMS ’ s website , or by contacting the ATMS office . ATMS requires all members to make themselves familiar with this policy and implement any recommendations in their practice .
ATMS updates its Leaving Clinical Policy Guideline and Receipts Policy
ATMS recently updated its Leaving Clinical Practice Guideline to modernise the policy to cover a range of situations in which members may leave practice ( e . g ., retirement , closing or selling a business ). The guide provides tips for members leaving clinical practice regarding legal and practical considerations , including ways to stay involved in the industry should they wish to do so . ATMS has also made some minor updates to its Receipts Policy . This policy also may be accessed via ATMS ’ s website , or by contacting the ATMS office .
Next , ATMS will be looking to update our Record Keeping and Infection Control policies .
Massage remains in Home Care Packages
As previously reported to members , ATMS , with the support of the other members of the United Associations ( Massage & Myotherapy Australia , ANTA , MAA and MA ) have ensured that remedial massage therapy and myotherapy remain in the Home Care Package Program . For ATMS members who are accredited practitioners holding a Diploma of Remedial Massage this means that they are eligible to provide remedial massage as a service under Home Care Packages .
The criteria as specified in the statement are that a therapist must :
• Be an appropriately qualified and trained professional
• Have a minimum of a Diploma of Remedial Massage from a registered training organisation
• Be a member of an accredited association and / or currently hold Approved Provider Status with the individual Private Health Funds .
ATMS responds to TGA ’ s proposed amendments regarding Camellia sinensis extract , amygdalin and hydrocyanic acid
As previously reported to members , the Therapeutic Goods Administration recently released a public consultation on amending the Poisons Standard regarding Camellia sinensis ( Green tea ) extract , amygdalin and hydrocyanic acid .
This consultation contained the following proposals :
• Creating a new entry for Camellia sinensis ( Green tea ) extract in preparations for internal use
• Amending the scheduling for amygdalin and hydrocyanic acid to exempt these substances when present as a component of Wild Cherry Bark .
The proposed changes also include an accompanying new entry for Wild Cherry Bark .
ATMS responded to the proposals by making its own recommendations in an attempt to strike a balance between ensuring the safe use of natural medicines and preserving access to these important therapeutic options . You can read ATMS ’ s full statement here : https :// mcusercontent . com / 71e8420d0820d1fd19643d178 / files / ade5e731-f4aa-439a-2ed5- b3964ea312ae / Public _ Consultation _ ATMS _ Response _ 2024.04.12 _ Proposed _ scheduling _ of _ Prunus _ serotina _ Wild _ Cherry _ Bark _. pdf
TGA releases Guide for Advertising Health Services
In March the TGA released a guide on advertising health services ( Guide ). While the regulation of the promotion of health services is not within the TGA ’ s jurisdiction , if a promotion for a health service also advertises therapeutic goods such as prescription-only medicines , the advertiser must comply with the requirements of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989- external site .
While the majority of inclusions in the Guide are not likely to affect members , ATMS still encourages members to make themselves familiar with the Guide . The full Guide can be viewed here : https :// www . tga . gov . au / resources / resource / guidance / advertising-health-services
106 | vol30 | no2 | JATMS